Unit 8: The Two Most Beneficial Practices

Reflecting on the exercises that I have completed thus far, I would have to say that the two most beneficial ones were the "Crime of the Century" and "Meeting Asclepius" exercises.

I have chosen the Rainbow visualization because I achieved the strongest results from this exercise. Upon completion of the visualization of each individual color and preparing to return to a full state of consciousness, I was unable to effectively shake off the meditative state I was in. Instead, I felt drained and a wavering line appeared while my eyes were still closed, and it interfered with my vision when I finally attempted to open them. I found that whether my eyes were open or closed I could see this line that now mimicked waves and an area of blue had now formed above the line with white light above that. It was as if it was opening up to the heavens. I believe that this blue light signified my weakest chakra. Light blue is the throat chakra and is associated with communication, expression of oneself and inner voice.

In the Meeting Asclepius exercise, I was pleasantly surprised when my grandmother appeared to me. I was able to visualize the white light coming from her, but I could not receive it the first time I tried the exercise. The second time I tried it, without using the CD, I was beginning to feel as if the white light was reaching me, but I still did not fully receive it. Both instances left me feeling lighter and filled me with joy. It was affirmation that my grandmother is still a part of my life. It also confirmed my strong feelings that the dreams I have in which we speak are a very real. I will continue to attempt this exercise as I feel that not only is it good for my soul, but that I will achieve other benefits from it.

I can implement the practice of meditative exercise and visualization into my personal life to foster mental fitness by continuing to work on these and other exercises that I have learned during this course, until I am able to achieve optimal results. I think that by being able to accomplish this, and by getting results from these exercises, that I will gain better insight into myself as well as become more receptive to future exercises. Each achievement will bring me a step closer to integral health.  

Unit 7: Meeting Aesclepius

Today I tried the "Meeting Aesclepius" exercise. I was sure my mother would emerge as the wise one, but instead I began to visualize my grandmother. This did not surprise me as my grandmother has appeared to me many times in dreams during difficult times.

At the start of the exercise I first visualized my grandmother as I saw her in my dreams standing in a garden smiling at me. As the exercise went on, I began to try and communicate to her.  Asking where she has gone and she would reply, “Nowhere, I am always with you.”

“One cannot lead another where one has not gone him or herself" (George, 2005, p.477). To me, this statement simply means that unless one has traveled a particular road themselves they cannot effectively guide another individual down it. Sure, it is possible to help the other individual navigate their way while walking by their side, but a true guide will walk ahead and will already knows where all the bumps, short cuts, and rest areas are.

In the case of the health & wellness professional, this saying applies to the experience of the provider. A health and wellness professional must become integrally educated through their own experience working with the integral model. Through experiencing integral medicine the provider is himself treated. The marriage of Western and integrative medicine, which combined treats the illness and the patient.

I must first develop my own psychological, physical, and spiritual growth much in the same manner that a football coach must know how to play the game. While there are some things that can be taught through a manual there are other things that need to be taught through demonstration and a deeper, personal understanding of the concept. I can implement psychological and spiritual growth in my personal life through activities such as meditation, yoga, prayer, enjoying nature, and through contemplative practice.

George, L.E. (2005). Transformation of the healer: The application of Ken Wilber's integral model to family practice medicine. In M. Schlitz, T. Amorak, & M. Micozzi, Consciousness & healing: Integral approaches to mind-body medicine (pp. 465-477). St. Louis, MO: Churchill Livingstone.

Unit 6: Loving Kindness/Integral Assessment

I still do not feel that I had great success with the Loving Kindness meditation, but I will say that I made some progress. I found that I had less wandering thoughts this time. I also found that towards the end of the meditation when I was trying to send loving kindness to everyone, including enemies, I became very angry. I really do not know why, but I had trouble concentrating on the rest of the exercise because I was so upset. I hesitate to call it a coincidence especially given the fact that I got very uncomfortable during this part last time. I do not think that I am ready to embrace those who I am trying to forgive. I get uneasy at the thought of drawing their ills into my own heart.

I had a little trouble remembering what questions to ask myself during the integral assessment. Right now I feel that I must focus on the biological aspect of my life. I have only just begun to become active again. I started eating healthier and have started boxing classes, which I love! I have an extra 10-15 pounds to lose and I am confident that I will achieve my goal. I spent a couple of days last week walking and relaxing. Being in touch with nature besides doing something that is a calorie-burner really was good for my soul.

Unit 5: Compare and contrast the Loving Kindness exercise and the Subtle mind exercise.

The Subtle Mind was easier for me to complete as opposed to the Loving/Kindness exercise. While I understood what was intended of the Loving/Kindness exercise, I just could not do it. I wasn’t feeling what I thought I was expected to feel. Perhaps I was trying too hard. The exercise actually made me a little uncomfortable which is ironic considering I eventually fell asleep!

Although my mind tended to wander during both exercises it was encouraged during the Subtle Mind, up to a point. When my mind began to wander I was able to reel it back in by concentrating on my breathing. The narrator mentioned that we would have thoughts and images running through our mind and to acknowledge them but do not attach to them; just let them pass.

Spiritual wellness can be reached by first fostering a mind/body connection. This movement through stages is called biological flourishing in which we strive to reach a higher level of development. I can make the initial shift to a mind/body connection through contemplative practice, and by combining physical activity with mental focus.